Whickham’s win at Darlington RA means Easington had to settle for seventh place.

Easington Colliery ended their 2016-17 season on a high with an impressive 5-1 win at Crook Town on Saturday afternoon.

Jack Pounder, Aidan Goodey, Aaron Croft, David Paul and Dylan Elliott all got on the scoresheet as the Colliers ran riot over their west Durham hosts.

Pounder headed the Green Army into the lead after only 59 seconds and that lead was doubled in the 11th minute when Goodey tucked home a penalty.

Chris Emms pulled one back for the hosts just before the break but Croft finished a superb team move in the 49th minute to regain their two-goal cushion.

It was 4-1 when Paul scored from long-range and Elliott wrapped up the points with a goal in his final appearance for the Colliers.

Easington’s management made two changes from last week’s win over Brandon United with Ethan Anderson and Luke Page coming in for Kyle Donaldson and Lewis Turnbull.

The Colliers couldn’t have hoped for a better start as they took their lead within the opening minute. Paul played the ball out wide to Croft and his cross found Pounder who headed home.

Easington looked comfortable from the off and were knocking the ball around with confidence despite a bobbly pitch.

In the 10th minute, fine work down the wing found Croft and his low ball into the penalty area found Pounder but he could only poke wide.

Crook were struggling to contain Easington’s burst down the wing with both Croft and Peter Jones causing plenty of problems for The Black and Ambers.

And, in the 11th minute, Jones’ perfect ball found Pounder and he sprinted towards goal before being brought down by the goalkeeper. The referee pointed to the spot but didn’t book the keeper. Goodey took responsibility and tucked the ball into the corner to double Easington’s lead.

Daniel Pigg had the ball in the net for the hosts in the 13th minute but was penalised for handball during the process of controlling the ball.

Elliott dragged wide for the hosts after a clever lay-off from Croft while Pounder was played in but ruled offside not too long later.

In a rare chance for the hosts, Jack Cooper fired harmlessly wide.

Ten minutes before the break, it was almost 3-1 as Paul was played in but Niki Lawson made himself big and prevented the man playing against his former club.

In the 41st minute, Crook halved the deficit through Emms. The former West Auckland Town man beat the offside trap to race through and his cool finish lifted the ball over Anderson and into the corner.

Easington went into the break a goal to the good but it could have been a couple more.

Paul’s effort three minutes into the second half was saved before the Colliers regained their two goal cushion with fine football only a few seconds later. A passing move of 10+ passes eventually came to and end as Croft played a quick one-two with Pounder before slotting home.

Brennan Ball’s crucial block denied Crook a second in the 56th minute before a fine Liam Adamson bicycle kick dipped just over the crossbar.

The continued chances were eventually going to lead to a fourth goal and it came just before the hour mark through Paul. Collecting the ball 25 yards from goal, Paul sent a moving effort over the keeper and into the net to put the result beyond doubt.

Paul’s second almost came in the 62nd minute when diverted Adamson’s low cross off the crossbar before substitute Bryan Norton went close in the 65th minute.

It was great to see the Colliers playing free-flowing positive football and Crook simply couldn’t compete.

Elliott, playing his final game before returning to parent club Hartlepool United, completed the scoring 19 minutes from time. Adamson pulled the ball back to Elliott and he slotted home with ease.

Pigg was looking one of Crook’s brightest assets and in the 73rd minute, and the former Darlington RA man burst clear but could only slot narrowly wide.

Further half chances were to follow for Easington but there was to be no further goals as the Colliers played out the season with a comfortable win.